Cuddlymarms getting on with it diary

monnagran

Cuddly: Oh yes! You are definitely my sort of gal. My whole life is spent looking ruefully at my To-Do list at the end of the day and noting that there is not one thing I can cross off. I've done lots of other things but not what I'd planned to do. However, last night I did the Flylady's thing with the kitchen timer and in 40 minutes I'd tidied the whole kitchen, cleared and cleaned the fridge and swept and steam cleaned the floor. AMAZING. Just because I'd focussed and not done my usual thing of drifting around pottering with this and that. I had to keep going back into the kitchen to give myself a nice surprise each time.

Love your diary, by the way.

x

meritaten

my OH loves lambs liver - so for a treat I buy some and make braised lambs liver with onion for him. I have noticed though, that lambs liver is definitely not as cheap as it used to be! or belly pork! bluddy celeb chefs have driven the prices up!
it now costs quite a lot more to make a tray of faggots. we love homemade faggots.
Housework - my motto is 'do as little as possible to keep the house clean but look reasonably tidy'.

Just for fun Cuddles - how long does it take you to clean the 'van? from back to front (or vice versa). I know exactly how long it took me to clean the static - down to the minute!

System

Hi,

another subscriber here. I follow a few diaries on the DFW board. Not that I am in debt but it keeps my feet firmly on the ground.

There are a couple of caravans on the site we store ours on that are used to live in all through the summer. Cant say I fancy it myself.... Mind you, they are like ours big tourers rather than statics.

cuddlymarm

Hi again

I don't think there's such a thing as cheap meat any more, even liver and belly pork are quite expensive. The cheapest meals I find are one pot meals, stews, casseroles etc. but even then you have to take into account the fuel used to cook them too.
I've also managed another NSD today making my grand total 2 for this month.
Meritaten I must admit I have never done a complete spring clean on the caravan but it rarely takes more than half an hour to clean the kitchen, bathroom, floors right through, dust etc. I work on the short burst way but make lists if I have visitors coming to make sure I cover everything.

cuddlymarm

Hi all

Another NSD today ( I'm getting into this now)

We haven't done much today apart from go and have a look at a local gym. One of our aims is to get fitter so we have joined up, good health is something that you really need to work at, so with this and good diet it is one of the parts of our working up to retirement plan. OH is paying so I can hand on heart say I've not spent a penny today.

Snuggled up watching the rugby now, really cosy cos the oven has been on. So lazy evening here

Hope everyone is doing OK
Cuddles:)

meritaten

ok, a full 'spring clean' of our static (including wiping down walls with damp cloth) took me 1 hour and 8 minutes! lol, this became a game with us after watching the cleaners 'turn' the rental 'vans'. OH bet me I couldn't do it faster - I couldn't - they did it in less than an hour. (I always claimed they weren't as 'meticulous' as me!). I suppose if you had more 'clutter' it would take longer - and if I lived in the van it would definitely have more 'clutter'!

Want another really cheap recipe?
for two people (I am winging it here as I normally did this for five people)
one pork chop
one half red pepper
half onion
large field mushroom or few button mushrooms
clove of garlic
teaspoon ground ginger or grated fresh ginger
soy sauce
pineapple juice
Cooked Rice (you can use boil in bag, micro or packet rice - up to you)
simply cut up the pork chop into ribbons, thinly slice the red pepper and onions and mushrooms, Toss them all into hot oil in the wok or frying pan. fry for a couple of minutes until the pork is done. add in the crushed garlic and the ginger - fry for a minute, then add enough pineapple juice to cover the pork and veg and put in about a teaspoonsoy sauce. bring to boil, taste. you may need to add more soy or more juice. you can reduce the heat and keep it bubbling if you are doing micro rice.
the rice should be cooked during this - cant give timings as it depends on which type of rice you use. if its packet then start it cooking BEFORE you do stir fry. the stir fry itself I find takes about 5 minutes.

Caterina

I keep reading and enjoying your diary very much, dear Cuddlymarm! Thank you for keeping posting.

I have always hated offal of any sort, even when I was a meat eater. Now as semi-vegetarians (I should say pescatarians but hate that word) we don't spend a fortune on food, so luckily I don't have to think about the cost of meat.

However the very small amount of fish we eat is quite costly because we all like skinless & boneless. When I find YS smoked mackerel I bag it quickly and make fishcakes. The rare times I buy smoked salmon I get the wild Alaskan one and stretch it in scrambled eggs, omelettes and use it as pasta dressing. It would be wasted in fishcakes.

cuddlymarm

Hi Caterina

We aren't big fish eaters in this house but all my men quite like smoked salmon with cream cheese on crackers (luckily this makes it go a long way ) also it only tends to be as a treat so Xmas, Easter or when I have visitors.
I am sneaking more meatless meals in and OH isn't seeming to mind as long as he gets a Sunday roast he is a happy man.
Now the weather is turning colder it is easier to make food more filling quite cheaply whereas in summer my men look at me as if I am punishing them if I try feeding them salad more than once in a blue moon.
Difficult creatures men, OH was brought up on lots of stews (with very little meat) and so isn't keen on them and now we are clear of the bankruptsy I am frugal but only where I need to be. Food is a big part of life and there to be enjoyed

Better get on I suppose
Cuddles:)

cuddlymarm

Morning all

I'm hoping that it has finally stopped raining here, it's definately not as windy so I hope I can get a few jobs done. I'm sure somebody sneaks in and puts their washing in my basket coz it seems to be growing at an alarming rate
Yesterday I got absolutely soaked ( and my umbrella is looking extremely sorry for itself) so my boots and coat are drying out in the living room. On the up side I don't think it's as cold today either so that should save a bit off the heating bill.
Today's tea will be cauliflower cheese with homemade dry roast wedgie potatoes after we get back from the gym. It's my first session today because they insisted that I get a doctors note because I take medication ( better safe than sorry ) and I am quite looking forward to going. I will start slowly and the full length mirror should keep me on track ( I'm not sure when but all of a sudden I have inherited the little chunky woman look of my older female relatives, it's sneaked up on me )
The food cupboard and fridge are still holding up well and my next shop will be next weekend. After today I will be on to frozen veg but I've still loads of spuds and milk left.
I hope you are all keeping well and warm and keeping away from the snuffles and sneezes. OH had his flu jab yesterday and I think I will try and get mine next week ( I've had a bit of a sore throat and itchy ears this week so want to be well clear of that first)

Anyway enough of my waffling
I better make a move
Have a lovely day everyone, keep warm and well
Cuddles:)

cuddlymarm

Hi everyone

It's not been a very exciting week really. I've now managed 6 NSDs for this month and not had to buy any top up shopping. My next online shop is done and I will collect it on Sunday while we are out.
OH and I are both dutifully going to the gym in our aim for getting fitter ( and thinner) and I must admit that I am slightly ashamed that I have let myself get so unfit but am determined to do something about it.
This good weather is rather nice, the washing is out on the line and the heating is staying off apparently we are due rain next week so I will get as much done now as possible.
I hope everyone is keeping well
Better get on
Cuddles